Of all the frames and hoops I have used over the years for hand quilting, I prefer the 18-inch Hinterberg lap hoop (link below). The floor stand is wonderful too, but my absolute favorite is this one, that sits on my lap and holds the quilt up for me so I can use both hands. It will turn and tilt in just about any direction as needed. The 18-inch one holds just enough area for me to quilt in one session before re-hooping.
(Never leave any quilt tight in the hoop overnight, so it can relax and not leave any distortion.)
If you think it's pricey, it's worth every penny if you enjoy hand quilting; very high quality, and I can attest to their great customer support as well.
No, I don't own stock in the company, but I have bought their products for many years.
BlueBars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.hinterberg.com/prod-18__Hoop_with_Lap_Stand-198.aspx

I'll second the vote for Hinterberg. I have had the full size, 3 rail floor frame for several years and just recently got the 18" round (floor stand and lap) I love them both. The 3 rail floor frame eliminates basting and is adjustable for height and tilt. Since I don't always want the big frame up, I also got the 18" round hoop and it is so nice!! Like BlueBars said it turns and tips and you can always quilt toward yourself, which makes it go quicker for me. I like that one for smaller pieces. Either way, the quality is excellent and the service too. They do have sales or specials every now and then--that's how I got my hoop with floor stand and lap stand.

Linda

I have a full size frame that is made to hang from the ceiling (like my Mother did) or it can sit on the backs of chairs. It does take up space but I enjoy quilting that way since I stretch it in the frame and roll it as I quilt. I find it much easier than pinning it on the floor or table.

I am now learning to quilt on the machine but still loved hand quilted things.

Sally

I was given an 18 inch hoop on a floor stand from JoAnne's as a gift and I have wrapped it in muslin to use because the hoop is not smooth and I don't want it to snag my quilt.
For small items I just use a 12" embroidery hoop.
I am not as talented as the others to use a full frame LOL, I can't quilt away from me very well. But the idea of not basting makes me want to learn!!!!
If you can afford to go with quality and it will last.
Rosa

I have a Grace three rail that I haven't used yet, having just done the one baby quilt that seemed an easily bastable size. I did my baby quilt on a floor Q-snap type frame, although I think mine is actually a Dritz model I got at Jo-Ann's with a 40% off coupon from their mail flier.

I'm a newbie, but I can't imagine quilting a full size quilt on a lap hoop! I have truly loved the Q-snap. It's a joy to use. All the plastic is perfectly smooth, and the 'set up' is done in one minute. All four legs on mine are adjustable so once I have the quilt snapped in (again, done in one minute) it can be tilted to each of the four sides for comfort. And of course it's square, so the quilt tension is applied to the grain of the fabric.

It's very lightweight, and so very easy to push with your foot to get different angles, and it's big enough so the quilt is well supported without hassle. And when I get up, I can push the whole thing back and come back with my diet cherry Coke and sit back down to the same perfect set-up in one second. WORTH EVERY PENNY!

You do need to baste four strips of muslin to the edges of your quilt so the frame can hold on to them while you quilt the edges, and you do need to baste the whole quilt before you get started. I did a sorry job of basting, but since my quilt was little and my frame was big, I didn't really have much shifting.

I think it's worth the practice to learn to quilt toward and away from yourself. I'd never done any sewing of any kind, so my first couple of weeks was rocky. After this one little quilt I am comfortable quilting away and toward myself with my leftie hand, and since I've always been a little ambidexterous I don't mind taking a few stitches with my weaker right hand.

Do you want to talk about thimbles? I could on and on....

>>Patsy wrote: I'm a newbie, but I can't imagine quilting a full size quilt on a lap hoop!

~~I've done it and it's not that big a deal. You do have to baste really well and I like to do it at a table. I put the quilt on the table and rest the edge of the hoop against the edge of the table and it's not too difficult. I do roll the edges of the quilt out of the way and pin them so that I don't have to wrestle with the extra bulk in my lap.

Annie

I see! You know, I bet a sturdy ironing board would work like a table to prop it up and then the height would be adjustable too. The Thimblelady has a new square hoop out, if you'd like to look at it.

Here is a link that might be useful: square hoop

I reinforce the Hinterberg products (have the larger floor hoop and the 3-rail floor frame). They are a great company to deal with and the product is A+ class. I actually got the kits for mine years ago, put them together and stained them myself... it was very easy with their super directions and everything included except the long rails and bracing piece.(easy to get at Lowe's) I also do not own stock in the company :-))))) but you can't go wrong with them.

I also have the large Hinterberg large round hoop on the floor stand. My husband bought it for me 15 yrs ago if I promised not to set up the big frame for months on end. I do big quilts on my hoop and I set a chair or small table behind it to hold up the weight of the quilt. Very good product.
Jean

Connie, what did you use for the rails for your kit frame? I got a kit years ago, and my husband and I are just putting it together now. The list of materials said to use electrical conduit for the rails, but the stuff we found is really heavy metal pipe. Does that sound right to you?

My plan is to use the frame to baste my next quilt, and then I'll quilt it on a hoop. I love the look of the Hinterberg lap frame. I've only used the cheap ones and they are a little rough.

Lu, yes, I did use the electrical conduit and am happy with it. It's very sturdy (seems like overkill when buying it) and will take the tension when putting the quilt/batting/backing etc. onto the frame and "tauting" it up. The guys at Lowe's were very nice and cut the conduit to the length I wanted, so it saved me a bit of cutting at home (fit in the car better too :0)))))))))

I love my frames/hoops from Hinterberg. I put a "honey maple" stain on with cheese cloth and then paste waxed the finished product with a good buffing. They are beautiful still, look like they came that way !!!!

Thanks, Connie, overkill certainly describes it, so I guess we're talking the same thing. My husband who is fanatical about things being level said it may be heavy, but it certainly won't warp!

I am attemting to hang my mothers quilt frame from the ceiling but I do not remembrt which part of the frame the rope attaches to, the short end pieces or the long side pieces?